House 23: Giuliano wins handily

Old Saybrook — Incumbent Rep. Marilyn Giuliano, R-23rd District, will serve a sixth term representing Old Lyme, Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook. She defeated Democratic candidate Adam Stillman on Tuesday.

Giuliano won a total of 7,387 votes in the towns, while Stillman picked up 4,665, according to unofficial results.

Giuliano won 2,986 to 1,921 in Old Saybrook, 833 to 586 in Lyme, 2,693 to 1,653 in Old Lyme, and 875 to 505 Westbrook, according to preliminary results. In Old Lyme, the numbers reflect nearly 70 percent of registered voters, while the numbers in Lyme reflect nearly 78 percent.

Giuliano said her win Tuesday indicates that people want an affordable Connecticut. She called the results a referendum on the government’s spending and tax raises.

“I’m very grateful for the voters and their confidence in me,” she said.

Both Giuliano and Stillman are Old Saybrook residents who stressed the importance of boosting the economy in their campaigns.

Giuliano, 59, a psychologist for the Lyme–Old Lyme Public Schools, is the minority party leader of the Education Committee and a member of the Appropriations Committee.

Stillman, 45, a lawyer who serves on the Old Saybrook Zoning Board of Appeals, ran a campaign focusing on the economy, the environment and civil liberties.

The candidates spent all or part of Election Day greeting voters throughout the district’s towns.

Stillman said running for state representative was a great experience, as he got the opportunity to meet people from other towns, such as Old Lyme. He will reassess closer to the next election if he will run again.